Winter Writers' Weekend002 - Open Door Publications

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Stopping You? "Bring your laptop, because this is an interactive confer- ... amd at Mechanics' Institute Library. To get
CONFERENCESCENE Events to advance your craft, connect/ons and career.

BY DON VAUGHAN

O San Miguel Writers' Conference and Literary Festival Skip out on the winter ch/7/ while honing your craft at this sundrenched international soiree.

WHEN: February 14-18, 2018. WHERE: Hotel Real de Minas, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. PRICE: $575-$795, depending on package. The "Whole Enchilada" option includes two three-hour intensives with the faculty member of your choice. Single-event tickets also available. Agent pitches and individual consultations are an additional fee. See website for details. WHAT MAKES THE CONFERENCE UNIQUE: "SMWC

is the largest co-cultural, bilingual gathering in the Americas [that attracts] writers, teachers and other professionals from Mexico, the United States and Canada," Conference Co-Director Maia Williams says. It's also among the few literary conferences held at a UNESCO World Heritage site, a designation San Miguel de Allende received in 2008. WHO IT'S PERFECT FOR: Writers eager for an immersive experience combined with top-caliber instruction from wellpublished professionals. HOW MANY ATTEND: 750. "The core conference is limited to 300 attendees for the tracks taught in English," Williams says. FACULTY: Novelists Wally Lamb 62 I WRITER'S DIGEST I February 2018

(The Hour I First Believed), Jorge Volpi (In Search ofKlingsor), Joseph Boyden (The Orendd) and Emma Donoghue (Room); poet Rita Dove ("Collected Poems 1974-2004"); nonfiction writer John Vaillant (The Golden Spruce); writing coach Jane Friedman; and more. HIGHLIGHTS: With seven keynote presentations and more than 75 workshops and panels over the course of the weekend, attendees have plenty to keep themselves busy day and night. Lighter fare includes Live On Stage: Tall Tales and Short Plays, a Mexican fiesta, curated readings by conference faculty, and daily open-mic sessions. IF YOU GO: Explore beautiful San Miguel and beyond via one of the many available excursion opportunities, such as the Haiku Walk through El Charco Del Ingenio botanical garden.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

sanmiguelwritersconference.org.

0 Winter Writers' Weekend Go from procrast/nator to published writer at this boutique affair in the city where Saul Bellow and Joyce Carol Dates crafted classic works.

WHEN: March 2-4, 2018. WHERE: Nassau Inn, Princeton, N.J. PRICE: $200. WHAT MAKES THE

CONFERENCE UNIQUE: The Winter Writers' Weekend is a fun, friendly gathering that promotes longterm connections. "Many of our participants stay in touch throughout the year," Conference Director Karen Hodges Miller says. WHO IT'S PERFECT FOR: Authors seeking professional development, from publishing to platform. "Winter Writers'

15™ SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE Celebration of Craft, Commerce & Community

Weekend is for authors who want to go further, reach more people, and sell more books," Miller says. HOW MANY ATTEND: 60. FACULTY:

Novelists Melissa Macfie (The Celtic Prophecy series) and Nora Phoenix (No Filter); marketing expert Noelle Stary; graphic artist Eric Labacz; website designer Lisa B. Snyder. HIGHLIGHTS: Sessions address such timely topics as authentic marketing, making book reviews work for you and building a website to boost your platform. For those who have difficulty following through with their projects, Miller will present a session titled Finish Your Book: What's Stopping You? "Bring your laptop, because this is an interactive conference," she advises. IF YOU GO: The Cloak & Dagger on Nassau Street is a must-visit for anyone who loves a good whodunit: The indie bookstore is located in an 100-year-old colonial home renovated to reflect an English-style library—the kind one might find in an Agatha Christie mystery. FOR MORE INFORMATION: winterwritersweekend.com.

©The Write Stuff Writers Conference Improve your fiction while making lifelong connections at this longrunning event in the heart of America's steel country. WHEN: March 22-24, 2018. WHERE:

Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel Conference Center, Bethlehem, Pa. PRICE: $289 for members/$329 for nonmembers through Feb. 12; $319/$359 through March 4; $339/$379 after. Daily rates also available; see website for details. Fee includes daily lunch. WHAT MAKES THE CONFERENCE UNIQUE: An intimate atmosphere makes it easy for

attendees and faculty to meet and mingle. "Our conference is designed to be inclusive by encouraging participants to share ideas, pose questions and make connections with others who share the passion [for] writing," Conference Director Dawn Sooy says. "The included lunches enhance the ready exchange of ideas and thoughts between attendees, presenters and agents, and the Friday reception is a great place to relax and network." WHO IT'S PERFECT FOR: Writers of every stage hungry for the most up-todate info and insight on penning and publishing fiction. HOW MANY

Join us and 100+ presenters—authors, editors, publishers &E literary agents from New York, L.A. fe S.F. Bay Area! Keynoters will include: Dana Gioia, California Poet Laureate/forma- NEA Chairman;

the author of Lucky Bay, Shanthi Sekaran, and thriller novelist Robert Dugoni. Free 'Open to the Public' YA Session with

Mitali Perkins

February 1548, 2018 Pre/Post Master Classes on Feb. 15 & 19 all at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel S229 SFWC Attendee room rate...until sold out!

SFWC-MIL Writing Classes amd at Mechanics' Institute Library To get event updates and class details, subscribe to the SFWC Newsletter at: WWW

ATTEND: 150. FACULTY: Novelists

Bob Mayer (Area 51 series), Jane Cleland (Josie Prescott mysteries), Ben Sobieck (Black Eye), Matt Betts (Indelible Ink), Richard White (For A Few Gold Pieces More), Tabitha Lord (Infinity) and Suzanne Mattaboni (Excuse Me, Waitress, Is That New Jersey?). HIGHLIGHTS: Seminars address a variety of relevant topics and include: Mastering Suspense, Structure and Plot; Using Metaphors to Add Richness and Texture to Your Work; and A Marathon, Not a Sprint: Long-Term Marketing Strategies for Indies. Attendees can receive immediate feedback on a sample of their work at the Friday evening Page Cuts Critique Sessions. (Critique sessions are free but require advance registration; see website for details.) IF YOU GO: A visit to Bethlehem wouldn't be complete without a stop at the Moravian Book Shop on Main Street. Established in 1745, it's the oldest book purveyor in the U.S. FOR MORE INFORMATION: glvwg.org. WO Don Vaughan (donaldvaughan.com) is a freelance writer in Raleigh, N.C., and founder of Triangle Association of Freelancers.

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SPEAKER!

SPEAKER!

Our editors are available to speak at your conference or workshop. We're happy to talk about technique, business or inspirational topics. We also help evaluate query letters or book proposals. We won't break your budget, and we're fun people!

WD) WRITER'S DIGEST WRITER'S DIGEST UNIVERSITY

Writers/Market For more information, email us at [email protected]

WritersDigest.com I 63